Cluster-fixture for electric lamps.



` PATENTBD FEB. l2, 1907.

l s. R. ERALTCK. CLUSTER FIXTURE ECR ELECTRIC LAMPS.

'APPLICATION FILED OCT. 2e, 1905.

f v 4 gj 4 HIIIII o I SHEETS-SHEET 1.

w MY

-PATBNTBDTBR 12, 1907.

`s. R. FRALIGK. GLUSTBRHXTURE FOR lEmacflfRIG LAMPS.

y APPLIQATION FILED 0OT.26,'1905. K

L SHEETS-"SHEET 2.

www?

No. 844,276.' l PATBNTBD FEB. 12, 1907.

` SR. FRANCK. y CLUSTER'FIXTURE FOR ELECTRIC LAMPS'. 4APPLIMJI'ON FILED 0011.246. 1905.

4 SHEETS-SHEET a.

No. 844,276. EATEIITED EEB. I2, 1907# IS. R. PRALICK.

GLUSTEE' FIXTURE EOE ELECTRIC LAMES. APPLICATION FILED ofmz. i905.

I I III sYLEs n. FRALICK, or CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, AssIeNoR oirpoNE-IIALF To- WILLIAM I. OROOKETT, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

CLUSTER-FIXTURE FOR ELECTRIC LAMPS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 12, 1907'.

Appiiaion ned october 26, 1905. serai No. 284,469.

.T a/ZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, SYLEs R. FnALIoIr, a citizen of the United btates, residing at Ohicago, county of Oook, and `btate of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful lm provements in a Oluster-F iXture for Electric Lamps, of which the following is a description.

My invention relates to that class of fixture employed for supporting a plurality of incandescent electric lamps` and suitably connecting the same in a circuit.

The object of my invention is to provide a simple, convenient, and thoroughly eflicient device of the kind described. Y

To this end my invention consists in the novel construction, arrangement, and combination of parts herein shown and described, and more particularly pointed out in the In the accompanying drawings ,wherein like or similar reference characters indicate like or corresponding parts ,Figure 1 is a section taken v l. Fig. 5 is a bottom view of a cluster provided with two lamp-sockets. Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail 'of the inner contact member of my fixture. Fig. 7 is an enlarged detail of the outer contact member of my fixture.

Figs. 8 and 9 are enlarged details of a springcontact ring for my lamp-sockets.

Figs. l0 and 11 are enlarged details of a modified form of inner contact member. Figs. l2 and 14 are details of a slightly-modified form of lamp-socket. Fig. 13 is a section taken substantially on line 13 13V of Fig. 12. Fig. 15 is a section similar to Fig. 1, showing a modified form of my device. Fig. 16 is a bottom view of a cluster provided with seven lamp-4 sockets. Figs. 17 and 18 are details.

In the preferred form of my device shown in the drawings, 1 is a plate or liange for conveniently securing my device in position upon the wall or ceiling of a room. The plate 1 may be formed of any suitable material and provided with any desired means for suitably fastening the same in position. A central opening 2 is provided through which the conductors 4 and 5 may be led to theirv respective fastenings within the device. The plate at the edges of the opening 2 is preferably fianged inward and provided With screw-threads or other preferred means for firmly securing the plate 1 to the eXtremity of the pipe 3. l

Any suitable means may be employed for electrically separating the main contact members of my device from each other, from the plate 1, and other 'adjacent portions of the device. employed for this purpose and is also employed as a base or foundation upon which the several members of my device may be conveniently assembled and later mounted` in position as a unit by attaching this part in position in any desired manner. ln the form shown the base 6 is preferably circular and formed of porcelain or other insulating material, and as aconvnient means for mounting the same in position for use may be attached to the plate 1 in any convenient manner. As shown, a plurality of depending flanges 7 7. are formed at the margin of the plate 1, each flange being provided with a slot 8 (see Figs. 17 and 18) substantially parallel to the body of the plate. A wing or lug 9 is formed upon the edge of the base 6 for each flange 7, the lugs 9 being suitably formed to enter the ln the form shown the part 6 isv slot 8 and lock the base 6 and plate 1 firmly together. Y

The flanges 7 are preferably so formed that when the base 6 and plate 1 are held in suitable position a partial rotation of thel base will cause the wings to enter the slots and lock the two together. If desired, a cooperating ridge 10 and depression 11 may be formed upon the parts, so that when the parts are fully locked together, as above described, the ridge 10 will be positioned in the groove l1 to resiliently maintain the parts inV position. The two contact members l2 and 14 of anysuitable form are attached to the base 6 by means of suitable screws or bolts' 15 and carefully insulated from each other to prevent a possibility of electrical contact between them. As shown, an annular projection 16 is provided upon the base 6 to separate the members 12 and 14 and prevent the possible displacement of either upon the base. A distance-piece 17 is also shown positioned between these members and at tached to each, the whole forming a very substantial structure in which the members 12 and 14 are not liable to become disarranged or loose even in case one or moreV of ICO the connecting screws or members VVare loose or broken. tached to the conductor 4 vby v`the screw `l2a and is provided with a .pluralityofthreaded openings 18 to engage the stems 19 of the lamp-sockets 20. .Any suitable meansmay be employed to increase the thickness of-the Walls of the memberat these openings. .As shown, these openings may extend through a reinforcing-band 21, attached to the member, or, if preferred, the metal may be formed into a tubular vprojection at leach opening, as at 22, to provide sufficient engagement for the threadsupon the stem 19. The outer contact member 14, which is-attached to the conductor 5 by means of the screws 14a, is of substantially the same form but slightly 'larger than the member 12 and is provided with a plurality o'f openings "23, corresponding to the openings 18, but of considerably greater size, so that the stems `19 may extend through the openings v23 and engage the openings 18 without ffear of contact with the wall o'f the outer contact member, `the walls of the two members being practically parallel 'to each other.

A substantially semispher'ical casing 24`is provided which when employed with the plate 1 incloses the entiredevice and gives a suitable iinish to `the same. This shell yis preferably arranged -to suitably fit against the plate 1 or other surface to which the'base may be attached and is provided with suitable openings 25, so arranged 'that ywhen a socket 20 is positioned in anopening itsstem 19 may pass through the opening 23 and engage the opening 18. Any desired means maybe employed to retain the `shell 24 inpo- -sition As shown, each socket 20 is provided with a .flange 26, which whenthe;sev-

-eral sockets are in position .eectually serve this purpose. The sockets 20 `maybe ofthe usual or any well-known forms. As shown, a shell 27, formedof porcelain or other suitable insulating material, is provided, having a flange 26, The stem 19 is preferably a screw, provided with a head'28 and a nut 29, between which the bottom of the shell -is firmly clamped, 'the nut 29 l'beingi refera'bly positioned in a pocket 30 `upon tllfe botto-m of the shell. The sleeve 31 Vis positioned within the shell, gprovided 'with suitable threadsfor engaging lan electric 'light vand rarranged to be .electrically connected "to lthe outer contact member 14When the socket :is in position upon the cluster.

In the form shown in Fig. 1 'aspring-con- 'tact `ring 32 is provided and attached `to 4the sleeve l31 by suitable screws or bolts 33. 'In

`this form the ring 32 yis formed .of suitable spring material curved into substantially the form shown and :provided with a plurality of slits or slots 34, as shown,- to 4increase its fiexibility. Vhen inuse, 'theslotted side is preferably placed toward the porcelain The inner contact member'is at-V shell, thus lproviding 'an uninterrupted contact-surface against the part 14.

ln'theform shown lin EFigs. 12, f13, 14, and

'15 .theshell 27 is fprovided with a plurality of slots 35, and the sleeve 31 is provided with members 36, 'extendingthrough these slots and curved at their extremity to form suitable ycontact-surfaces.

zand described itis obvious 'that 4the maximum number of lamps'that can'be employed is limited by the size .ofthe socket and the diameter ofthe cluster, but `that a cluster with the same-sizedparts'may be employed 'for any less numberfoflights. In my device 'I propose to take advantage of "this'fea'ture and provide a cluster vin which 'the maximum or any less 'number of lights may vbe employed Aby merely providing -the desired number of sockets V'and 4a casing'with'the 'desired number of openings. In the 'form shown seven sockets'rnaylbe used-six in the circle and lone at |the bottom, vas shown in Fig. l--andto provide for this or any less number thirteen openings 18 are provided 'twelvein't'he'ring or "row of openings in the 'band '21 and one inthe bottom. 4The position o'fthcse openings vmaybe determined,

as shown in 'Figf ,by successively dividing the circleuponwhichthe openings are 1located into six, five, and fourequal spaces, .preferably commencing 'at fthe same point foreach fIn this manner, with a casing 'having six Vevenly-spaced openings 25, the six lsocketstems 19 will 'engage with the yopenings a, b, Ve,'g, Z, and p; `with one having five openings and p, as desired; and with two fany'two opposite openings.

thimb'le 40, 'preferably lthreaded both upon its interior and Yexterior and `fhaving 4a 'iiange 4'1 and a nut y42 `or other convenient means `for suitably attaching 'the Asame lin position IOO lthe socket-stems ywill engage a, c, f, 7L, ando;` with one Ahaving four the openings a, d, g, and m 'are usedyw'ith three, a, e, and Z, orb, g,

IIC

mum of seven lamps two thimbles 40 are mounted in each slot 182, and suitable marks are provided upon the part 12 and the thimble, as shown in Fig. 11, for indicating the proper position of the thimble to form a cluster carrying a certain number of lights. It is readily seen that by placing the thimbles positioned in the slots in the proper "positions the results before described may b obtained. In the speciiication and the drawings my device is described and shown arranged for connecting the lamps to a circuit in multiple; but I do not desire to be understood as limiting myself to this form, as the slight modifications necessary to connect the lamps in series are obvious to one skilled in the art and a detailed description land drawings of this form are believed to be unnecessary.

In the foregoing specification only the preferred form of myy improvement has been shown and described; but it is obvious that various immaterial modifications may be made in my device without departing from the spirit of my invention. Hence I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the exact form and constructionshown.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a cluster-fixture, the combination of a base, outer and inner contact members carried by said base, a pluralityof lamp-sockets each provided with means for securing the same in position, and cooperating means upon said contact members for attaching a variable number of said sockets thereto,

whereby the number of sockets in said cluster may be changed as desired.

2. In a cluster-fixture, the combination of a base, an inner and an outer contact member mounted upon saidv base, means at a plurality of points upon said contact members for attaching a lamp-socket, a plurality of lamp-sockets each provided with means for coperating with both of said contact members to rigidly support the socket in position, whereby the number of lamp-sockets upon the cluster may be varied as desired.

3,. In a cluster-fixture, the combination of a base,` inner and outer contact members mounted up on said base, means at a plurality of points unevenly spaced about said contact members for attaching a lamp-socket, a plu? rality of lamp-sockets each provided with means for cooperating with said contact members to support said sockets in position,

whereby the number and position of the sockets in said cluster may be adjusted as desired. .j

4. In a cluster-fixture, a base, substantially conical inner and outer contact members mounted concentrically upon said base,

and means upon said contact members for adjustably attaching lamp-sockets thereto.

5. In a cluster-ixture, thecombination kof `a base, substantially conical outer and inner contact members concentrically mounted upon said base, means at a plurality of points upon said contact members for attaching a lamp-socket, a plurality of lamp-sockets, each provided with means for coperating with said contact members for rigidly supporting said sockets in position, whereby the number of and position of the sockets in said cluster may be adjusted as desired.

6. In a cluster-iixture, the combination of sheet or plate inner and outer contact members, and a lamp-socket carried jointly by said members.

7 In a device of the kind described, a base, contact members mounted upon said base and adapted to carry a variable number of lamp-sockets, in combination with a plurality of lamp-sockets and a casing supported by said sockets and provided with openings for limiting the number of sockets employed in said cluster.

8. In a device of the kind described, a base,

contact members mounted upon said base and adapted to carry aV variable number of movable lamp-sockets, in combination with a plurality of lamp-sockets, and a casing carried by said sockets and provided with openings for limiting the number of sockets in said cluster. Y 9. In a device of the kind described, a lampsocket provided with a spring-contact ring upon its exterior for resiliently engaging a contact-plate.

10. In a device of the kind described, a lamp-socket provided with a shell having openings in its bottom, a threaded sleeve provided with extensions projecting through said openings to form a contact member for electrically connecting said sleeve to a conductor.

11. In a device of the kind described, a lamp-socket provided with a shell having openings through its bottom, a threaded sleeve provided with extensions projecting through said openings, and means for securing said sleeve within said shell.

12. nl e deviee ef the kind deeeribed, e

IOO

IIO

lamp-socket provided with a shell having 'i openings through its bottom, a threaded sleeve provided with longitudinal extensions projecting into said openings and lateral extensions adapted to rest upon the bottom of said shell, and means for securing said lateral projections to the shell-bottom.v

13. Ina cluster ixture, a lamp-socket provided with a central stud projecting from its bottom means `upon said stud for securing said socket in position in the cluster, and electrically connecting the interior of said socket to a suitable conductor.

14. In a device of the kind described,` a lamp-socket provided with a central stud one end of which is exposed within the socket and the opposite end projects from the bottom of the socket means upon said stud for securing the socket in position and electrically connecting the interior of said socket to a suit.

able conductor.

15. In a device of the kind described, the combination of a plate provided with a plurality of depending ilanges with a slot formed in each flange, and an insulating-baseprovided with projections formed integrally therewith adapted to engage said slots, whereby said plate and base may be locked together by a partial rotation of said base upon said plate.

16. In a cluster-iXture, the combination of abase, substantially conical inner and outer contact members mounted upon said base concentrically to each other and a distancepiece positioned between the central portions of said members.

17. In a cluster-lfiXture, a contact member, a plurality of movable thimbles mounted upon said member, and means for attaching a lamp-socket to each of said thimbles,

tral portions of said members.

19. In a cluster-fixture substantially conical inner and outer contact members, mounted concentrically to each other, one within tllilelother with their sides substantially para e In testimony whereof I have hereunto signed my name in the presence of two subscribing witnesses. I

SYLES R. FRALICK. Witnesses:

BURTON U. HILLS, CHARLES I. COBB. 

